One way to define a "problem" is to determine if it causes a problem. From the brief description in your post, there does not seem to be a real problem (yet) but there may be in the future. For example, if after drinking you decide to go out and drive, as to "get home" from a party. That can be a problem. Someone offered that the difference between a problem drinker and a social drinker is the response to the question "Would you like another drink?" The social drinker might reply; "No thank you, I am beginning to feel the last one." The problem drinker might reply; "Yes, please, I am beginning to feel the last one." Once I had one drink, I did not wish to stop.

One reason for AA meetings is that is where the people who have successfully stopped drinking gather. We discuss things which tempt us to return to drinking alcohol, and perhaps why. As alcohol becomes a problem (and it may not be obvious to the drinker), it becomes time to make some decisions about it. That is the starting point, when the person makes a decision to do something about a problem. (For some death comes first unfortunately.) For me, I decided the potential problems were too serious not to take action, so attended AA and learned what could happen and how to avoid those problems. Through a "day at a time" approach (just don't take a drink today, no matter what!) I learned that I could function, and improved as sobriety lengthened.

I maintain sobriety on a daily basis, reading and remembering that I have an addiction and taking cautions to avoid "temptations" to return to the old ways and old thinking. A "simple but not easy" approach, just don't drink alcoholic beverages or use mind altering drugs. The benefits are primarily for myself.

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